Fine Gael has called for legislation compelling developers to include internet broadband access in new homes. It also says there should be "open-access ducting" where possible so that all Eircom communications ducting would be open for use by other competitors.
The proposals are contained in a Fine Gael plan aimed at modernising Ireland's internet broadband services.
Speaking at the launch in Dublin yesterday, party leader Enda Kenny said that to succeed in a globalised environment "we need a first-class telecommunications infrastructure".
"But what we have in Ireland now, regrettably, in 2008, is a telecommunications infrastructure that has not moved on significantly since the 1980s, is over- burdened with debt and is certainly crumbling through lack of investment."
He added: "We have high prices, very poor customer services and broadband availability and take-up levels that place us at the bottom of the developed international country rankings, which is not where we should be."
Asked if Fine Gael had been wrong to support the privatisation of Telecom Éireann, in view of the party's criticisms of the pace of development since then, Mr Kenny said: "We weren't wrong to support privatisation at all, that's 20 years ago. We are where we are now and what's here is a very constructive proposition to deal with a very serious issue."
Fine Gael Communications Spokesman Simon Coveney said: "If we were to do it again, there would be a very strong argument for actual structural separation of Telecom before it was privatised so that we could keep the telecommunications infrastructure in state ownership.
"We need proactive action from Government in terms of how we can assist the private sector to deliver next-generation broadband access into people's homes and businesses and every school, college and university in the country."
Fine Gael regarded the current National Broadband Scheme as "flawed", he added.
